Question 1

David Mayhew famously argued what? Did he believe his argument was literally true? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of David Mayhew famously argued what? Did he...

Question 2

All members have offices in their respective House/Senate office buildings, but some members are lucky enough to have offices in the Capitol building as well. Name three positions or people who have offices in the Capitol building.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All members have offices in their respective...

Question 3

Name three different staff positions and their responsibilities in the average congressional office.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name three different staff positions and their...

Question 4

White men comprise around ____ of the total membership of Congress, but almost without exception their proportion declines every election.

Accepted Answer

White men comprise around 75% of the total membership of Congress, and their proportion has been gradually declining as Congress becomes more diverse with each election.

Question 5

Who mandated the creation of majority-minority districts wherever possible?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Justice has been involved in enforcing the Voting Rights Act, which includes the creation of majority-minority districts to ensure fair representation for minority groups.

Question 6

While 1992 is still known as the "Year of the Woman," what more recent event also catapulted record numbers of women to run for Congress?

Accepted Answer

The election of Donald Trump to the presidency in 2016 motivated a significant number of women to run for Congress in the subsequent 2018 midterm elections, leading to a record number of women elected.

Question 7

Which underrepresented group in the House of Representatives is closest to the level of representation they have in the general population?

Accepted Answer

Black Americans have a level of representation in the House of Representatives that is closest to their proportion in the general U.S. population compared to other underrepresented groups.

Question 8

Women are best represented where?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Women are best represented where?
...

Question 9

Prior to the early 20th century all African American members of Congress were members of which party?

Accepted Answer

Prior to the early 20th century, African American members of Congress were primarily members of the Republican Party, which was founded on anti-slavery principles and was the party of Abraham Lincoln.

Question 10

Most members of Congress from underrepresented groups are members of the Democratic Party. As a consequence, for the first time in history, white men constituted a minority of the Democratic caucus beginning in which Congress?

Accepted Answer

In the 113th Congress (2013-14), white men became a minority in the Democratic caucus for the first time, reflecting the increasing diversity within the party.

Question 11

___________________ is the idea that constituents should be represented by someone who shares characteristics similar to their own.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive Representation is the concept where constituents are represented by individuals who share similar characteristics, such as race, gender, or ethnicity, with them.

Question 12

A proximate goal is best defined as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A proximate goal is one that must be satisfied before pursuing other goals, serving as a necessary step towards achieving more distant objectives.

Question 13

Casework is critical to members of Congress providing good constituent service. Which of the following is an example of casework?

Accepted Answer

Casework involves assisting constituents with problems they are having with federal agencies, such as helping a constituent locate a missing benefits check from the Veterans Administration.

Question 14

Some members view good public policy through an ideological lens. Which of the following is a question one of these members might ask themselves when considering how to vote?

Accepted Answer

Members who view policy through an ideological lens often focus on principles like maximizing freedom or reducing inequalities, rather than just solving policy problems.

Question 15

A _________ approach to policymaking is more problem oriented and tends to concede that solutions to policy issues are complex and multidimensional.

Accepted Answer

A pragmatic approach focuses on practical solutions and acknowledges the complexity and multidimensional nature of policy issues.

Question 16

If a member is aggressively seeking to become a committee chair or party leader, they are likely prioritizing which goal?

Accepted Answer

Aggressively seeking a leadership position like a committee chair or party leader indicates a focus on gaining power and prestige within the political system.

Question 17

Not all members are driven by power, but members of Congress are ambitious people to start with and so they will not remain on the backbench silently. What might a member demand in exchange for not seeking advancement in the party?

Accepted Answer

A member might demand attention to an issue they care about as it aligns with their personal interests or constituency needs, rather than seeking a formal position or fundraising responsibilities.

Question 18

Who decides the benefits of members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

Members of Congress decide their own benefits, including salaries and other compensations, through legislation that they pass.

Question 19

How much more than a rank-and-file member does the Senate Majority Leader make per year from their salary?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How much more than a rank-and-file member...

Question 20

How much money can members of Congress earn as outside income? (As a percent of their salary)

Accepted Answer

Members of Congress are allowed to earn up to 15% of their salary as outside income.

Quiz 4: Being a Member of Congress